Ali Ejaz

A versatile film, TV, theater artist and comedian who appeared in lead role in feature films.

Early Life

Ali Ejaz was born in 1941 at Kotli Loharan, District Sialkot as Syed Ali Ejaz Geelani. Afterward he moved to Lahore along with his family. At Lahore they settled at Qila Gujjar Sing, where he met Munawar Zarif and became best friends as both of them were school mate as well. After completing his education he joined a bank and started his professional career. Right from his college life he was inclined towards creative art especially the performing art. Watching movies and stage dramas were his best pass time. By nature he was very jolly and jovial. So he was able to make an entry into Radio Pakistan and then stage / theater with his talent power.

Early Career

In 1964, when Pakistan Television was introduced, Ali Ejaz joined it and became one of the pioneer actors of Ptv. Like Tariq Aziz, Qavi and Kanwal

Nasir. Lakhon Mein Teen was his initial TV drama, Ali Ejaz was one of the three characters of Lakhon Mein Teen which were played by Qavi (Mr. No), Ali Ejaz (Mr. What) and Qamar Choudhry (Mr. Yes). This TV play gave Ali Ejaz a nationwide popularity. With acting career, Ali Ejaz was still attached with his bank job. Renowned film director Shabab Keranvi who was famous for introducing the new talent in his films and there is a long list of artists who were picked by Shabab Keranvi and ruled Pakistan filmdom. Shabab Keranvi went to bank where Ali Ejaz was working and at that time he was cracking jokes with his bank colleagues. Shabab Keranvi recognized him and offered him comedy role in his next upcoming film. Ali Ejaz accepted his offer with all profound regards as his life’s time dream was coming into reality. Insaniyat was Shabab Keranvi’s next film which was directed by his friend A. Hameed known as Bhaiya Hameed). In this film Shabab Keranvi introduced two TV actors Tariq Aziz and Ali Ejaz. Ali Ejaz played the role of a Patiala-speaking fruit-merchant in Insaniyat with Nanha and Razia and did it so precisely which was very well received by film gores. After witnessing the confident performance of Ali Ejaz, Shabab Keranvi decided to include a comedy song which was sung by Ahmed Rushdi & Irene Parveen which was filmed on them. Ali Ejaz gave performance in comedy song, Tera Mera Piyar Dekh Kar Sara Zamana Jalta Hai, Jall Jane Do..which was up to the mark. Although, his performance in Insaniyat was noticed by film makers and he was included in the film cast of other films like LailaMajnu, Badal, Sher, Tiger Gang, Mardan Hath Medan, Kal De Munde, Bharosa and Aap Se Keya Parda etc. but these all characters were of secondary type of role which never gave him the popularity which he deserved. So with films he kept on working with Pakistan Television as well.

As Lead Actor

In late 70s, trend of going to Dubai by hook or crook was increasing with passage of each day, even a huge number of youth lost their lives by adopting unfair means to reach at Dubai. Basing upon this concept Riaz Batalvi penned downed a story which was further scripted Munnu Bhai for Ptv long play and it was named Dubai Chalo, play was directed by Muhamamd Nisar Hussain. Main character of an innocent villager played by Ali Ejaz was very well received by all which included iconic film director of that time Haider Choudhry launched a film on the same name while Ali Ejaz was casted in lead role of the film. In Dubai ChaloAli Ejaz was paired with his old colleague Nanha who had also worked together previously in film Sajha Majha. Dubai Chalo was released on November 3, 1979 and proved to be super hit film as like of drama. And then afterward there was no looking back as public really like the duet of Nanha and Ali Ejaz.

Pasoori Badsha was the last film this duet, after release of this film Ali Ejaz deviated from films due to unknown reasons. Sudden death of Nanha also affected his declining career. But during this period he also appeared in Ptv dramas. His TV drama Khawaja and Sons was another popular drama of that era.

Personal Life

Ali Ejaz got married with lady out of showbiz world and was blessed with two sons. Ali Ejaz spent the last years of his life in professional wilderness and was ignored by the industry and television. Even he had reservations about the conduct attitude of his close relations. Further ailment in last years of his life also affected social life of artist.

As Social Worker

As it is generally saying that creative people especially from performing art are very observant so naturally have very soft and sensitive in nature. Ali Ejaz was one of those personalities who felt the pain of old age persons who are without shelter or homeless. So keeping this thing in mind, in 2015, Ali Ejaz launched a social welfare project near Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan under his non-government organization (NGO), Ali Ejaz Foundation. This project, The Homes for the Welfare of the Old People, planned to build one hundred and thirty two homes within three years. The project was to be governed with donations from the public, industrialists and philanthropists. The homes were meant to provide shelter to old age persons / senior citizens discarded by fellows and relatives. This foundation was an inspiration from Denmark’s old homes scheme. After initial preparation and paper work, Ali Ejaz physically met with all those personalities from where he was expecting some donations for fulfillment of his project. In this regard he also visited Silakot and arranged programs in which he invited notables and briefed them about his about his project. At the end he was over satisfied with the response as he anticipated. Now let’s see the fortune of this project after the demise of Ali Ejaz.

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Honors & Awards

Ali Ejaz was honoured with the prestigious Presidential Pride of Performance on August 14, 1993.

Other than Nigar award, Ali Ejaz had bagged multiple other awards in recognition of his acting skills.

Demise of the Artist

A decade earlier Ali Ejaz suffered with paralysis attack but with his will power he was pulling along with significant improvement. On December 18, 2018, Ali Ejaz suffered a severe heart attack, he was evacuated but this iconic Pakistani film, television and stage actor could not sustained and took his last breath on same day due to cardiac arrest at Lahore. His funeral prayers were offered at Ayubia market, Muslim Town Lahore which was attended by showbiz personalities along with his relatives and fans. He has left behind a widow and two sons.

(May Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace)

Filmography

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